Assembly Passes Cooley's Legislation to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

On Wednesday, January 29, the Assembly passed on a bipartisan 76-0 vote, Assemblyman Ken Cooley's legislation to prevent child sexual abuse. Assembly Bill 883 (AB 883) helps protect California's children by creating a pilot program in up to three counties to specifically address child sexual abuse prevention.

Although the state aggressively prosecutes child sexual predators and requires mandated reporting for suspected abuse, there is a lack of focus on preventing the abuse before it occurs.

"Childhood sexual abuse is devastating to the victims and the victims' family," said Cooley. "Often, children who are sexually abused have physical and mental health issues long into their adult lives. By putting resources at the local level into community collaboration and prevention, we have the chance to make a difference in the lives of California's children before they become victims to sexual abuse."